day was ruined, but I won’t let him spoil my evening – the rest of tonight is about me and Alex.
I step out into the chilly autumn evening. It’s the start of November already and it feels like we arrive at work in the dark and leave in the dark – and tonight it’s bloody dark. And cold. I wrap my parka around me, pulling up my hood as it starts to spit with rain. I was hoping to go home, have a shower and get changed before I went to Alex’s, but I don’t have time. Nor did I have the foresight to bring any make-up or extra clothes with me to work in case I had to stay late. I can’t believe I’m going to meet Alex, for only the third time, wearing my work clothes and with the remains of the day on my face. So I call him to check it’s still okay to come over as it’ll be close to 8 p.m. by the time I get to his. Also, he needs to be warned that the glamorous woman he went out with the other night won’t be turning up this evening.
‘Hey, Alex. It’s late – I’ve only just finished, are you still sure about tonight?’
‘Of course. Are you heading over now?’
‘Yes, if that’s okay?’ My old insecurities kick in. Is he just being polite, surely not?
‘It’s wonderful,’ he says, in a husky, urgent voice that warms me.
‘I just didn’t want to put you to any—’
‘I made your favourite, pistachio ice cream.’
I’m so touched by this. ‘Well, how can I resist? You had me at ice cream,’ I say and he laughs. ‘But, Alex, I’m warning you, I look like a dog and I need a shower.’
‘Now you’re just trying to get me all excited,’ he jokes.
‘Mmm, if you’re sure you want to enjoy a third date with an un-showered woman falling asleep at the table in her work clothes…?’
‘Sounds perfect, just how I like my third dates.’
‘Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m ten minutes away,’ I say, giggling as I end the call and walk into the shop.
After scanning the limited stock, I find a decent Merlot, it’s twenty pounds, but if Alex is providing dinner, the least I can do is bring the wine. While queuing to pay, I spot a container of Smarties shaped like Father Christmas and pick it up for Harry to thank him for all the croissants and cakes he brings us.
I pay for my stuff and leave the shop with my purchases in a thin carrier bag. I’ve put Alex’s postcode into the app on my phone as he suggested. ‘It’s a bit of a maze,’ he’d said. Twenty minutes later, I’m still walking round ‘the maze’, sure I’ve seen some of these houses more than once. It’s not far from the high street, but this part of town isn’t somewhere I often venture, it’s a forgotten area of empty buildings and overgrown weeds, and the only houses here seem to be boarded up. I can’t help but feel vulnerable, especially after receiving the horrible note today, and as I walk, I keep glancing behind me.
There’s no one about, and I’m aware it’s getting later and later. I’m just walking around in circles, have no idea where I am and it’s starting to feel creepy. I’m tempted to call Alex, but feel like such an idiot getting lost following a map in a city I’ve lived in for most of my life. But after another ten minutes, I’m feeling slightly panicky, and decide to call after all, when he calls me.
‘Are you okay, Hannah? Where are you? I thought you said you were close by.’
‘I’m… I’m… not sure. You live on Black Horse Road, right? The app’s sent me somewhere else… I’m down near the canal, I think. I put the postcode in, but…’ I’m freezing, I hope he can’t hear my teeth chattering.
‘Ahh yeah, the postcode can be a bit iffy, it messes with satnavs too. Look, I’m coming to find you, but as I’ve no idea where you are, I’ll have to find you by your phone.’
‘Okay, but I’m not sure how to do that.’
‘It’s simple. I’m going to send a request to your phone – you accept it, then I can see where you are and come and get you,’ he explains.
‘Great,’ I say, relieved.
And, sure enough, within seconds a message comes through for permission for Alex to see my location. I